Last fall, Houston (Tex.) Spring Woods tailback Marcus Mendoza missed a portion of the season due to injury, but made the most of his chances when he was healthy. His home-run hitting ability out of the backfield looks great on the highlight reels, but also has grabbed the interest of top colleges, many of whom have already offered.

A total of 12 schools have extended the 5-foot-11, 175-pound Mendoza a scholarship offer, the two latest being from Arizona and Arkansas. Other schools on that list include Kansas State, Iowa, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech and Iowa State. He is not in a rush to decide and plans to take official visits this fall.

Iowa State is looking to give him that chance and have told the speedy back that he could be just what they are looking for. "They've offered, but I don't know that much about them," Mendoza said. "They said their running backs are usually big and they haven't had a speed back in awhile and that's why they are real interested in me. That excites me that they want to see something different and I'm something that they've been looking for."